Command device for a derailleur of a bicycle

ABSTRACT

Integrated control device for a bicycle, has a support body configured to be fixed to a handlebar of a bicycle and a single lever that is mobile with respect to the support body to command both a brake and a derailleur by movement of the lever in first and second directions of movement, opposite one another; the single lever has a rest position in which it commands neither the brake nor the derailleur and it is mobile in a first direction to command the brake; the single lever is mobile in a second direction different from the first direction by a first distance to command movement of the derailleur in its first direction and by a second distance different from the first to command movement of the derailleur in its second direction.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a control device for actuating aderailleur and a brake of a bicycle.

BACKGROUND

The following description is made with reference to devices particularlyconfigured for bicycles with curved handlebars (typical of racingbicycles); however, the control device described could also be appliedto straight handlebars (typical of mountain bikes).

A bicycle is normally provided with two derailleurs, a front oneassociated with the crankset and a rear one associated with the sprocketassembly. In both cases, the derailleur engages the transmission chainmoving it over gear wheels of different diameters and numbers of teeth,so as to obtain different transmission ratios; the derailleur, be it therear one or the front one, is moved in one direction by a tensionexerted by an inextensible cable that is normally sheathed (commonlyknown as Bowden cable), and in the opposite direction by the elasticreturn action of an elastic return member (typically a spring), providedin the derailleur itself. Normally, the derailleur is moved by theelastic return member when the chain passes from a gear wheel of largerdiameter to a gear wheel of smaller diameter, i.e. so-called downwardgearshifting; vice-versa, the tension of the control cable takes placeduring so-called upward gearshifting, in which the chain moves from agear wheel of smaller diameter to a gear wheel of larger diameter. Itshould be noted that in a front derailleur downward gearshiftingcorresponds to the passage to a lower transmission ratio, whereas in arear derailleur it corresponds to a higher transmission ratio.

The movement in the two directions of the control cable of a derailleuris obtained through a control device mounted so as to be easy tomaneuver for the cyclist, i.e. normally on the handlebars, close to thehand grips where the brake lever for commanding the brake actuationcable of the front or rear wheel is also located. Control devices thatallow the control of both a derailleur in two directions and of a brakeare commonly known as integrated controls. By convention, the controldevice of the front derailleur and the brake lever of the front wheelare located in the vicinity of the left hand grip, and vice-versa, thecontrol device of the rear derailleur and the brake lever of the rearwheel are located in the vicinity of the right hand grip.

In most integrated control devices, the control cable is actuated intension or in release through winding and unwinding on a rotor element,commonly known as cable-winding bush, the rotation of which iscontrolled by the cyclist with suitable control levers.

SUMMARY

An integrated control device for a bicycle comprises a support bodysuitable for being fixed to a handlebar of a bicycle and a single leverthat is mobile with respect to the support body to command both a brakeand a derailleur in each of a first and second direction of movement,opposite one another. The single lever has a rest position in which itcommands neither the brake nor the derailleur, and is mobile in a firstdirection to command the brake, and in a second direction different fromthe first direction to command the derailleur. The derailleur iscommanded by movement of the lever by a first distance to actutatemovement of the derailleur in its first direction and by a seconddistance different from the first to actuate movement of the derailleurin its second direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and advantages shall become clearer from thefollowing detailed description of some preferred embodiments thereof,made with reference to the attached drawings.

FIG. 1 is an axonometric view of a right control device according to thefirst embodiment of the device, mounted on the handlebars of a bicycle;this figure is also representative of a right control device accordingto the second and third embodiments of the device, and the referencenumerals between brackets refer to such a device;

FIG. 2 is a side section view along a vertical section plane of thecontrol device of FIG. 1 in a first non-operative position;

FIG. 3 is a side section view along a vertical section plane of thecontrol device of FIG. 1 in a second operative braking position;

FIG. 4 is a view from below of a detail of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 5 to 16 are section views that show the control mechanism of thedevice of FIG. 1 in various steps during gearshifting;

FIG. 17 is a side section view along a vertical section plane of thecontrol device according to the second aspect of the device depicted inFIG. 1, in a first non-operative position;

FIG. 18 is a side section view along a vertical section plane of thecontrol device of FIGS. 1 and 17, in a second operative brakingposition;

FIGS. 19, 20 and 21 show the control device of FIGS. 1 and 17 inseveral; operative steps during gearshifting;

FIG. 22 is a side section view along a vertical section plane of thecontrol device according to the third aspect of the device depicted inFIG. 1, in a first non-operative position;

FIG. 23 shows the control device of FIGS. 1 and 22 in an operative stepduring gearshifting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS INTRODUCTION

By using the device described herein, the cyclist never needs to movethe grip of his hands, regardless of the maneuver he has to perform:braking, upward gearshifting or downward gearshifting. Therefore, he canperform any maneuver quickly and safely. If necessary, the cyclist canalso carry out braking and gearshifting simultaneously, without havingto wait to complete one operation before beginning the other; to do so,he must simply move the single lever both in the first and in the seconddirections.

The second direction can be substantially perpendicular to the firstdirection as shown; the operative movements are thus clearly distinctfrom each other, without a braking maneuver potentially unexpectedlycausing a gearshifting maneuver and/or vice-versa.

The movement of the derailleur in the first direction corresponds todownward gearshifting and the movement of the derailleur in the oppositedirection corresponds to upward gearshifting, and therefore a firstmovement of the single lever causes downward gearshifting, whereas asecond further movement causes upward gearshifting. This way ofoperating is more instinctive for the cyclist. Alternatively, however,the opposite is also possible.

The support body is gripped by a hand by the cyclist.

The device comprises an intermediate body, which is supported so thatthe lever can move in rotation with respect to the support body about afirst rotational axis, and the single lever moves in rotation withrespect to the intermediate body about a second rotational axis,different from the first.

The provision of this intermediate body allows the possibility ofmovement in the two directions in a simple and safe manner, withoutcompromising the strength of the device.

When the single lever is in the rest position, the second rotationalaxis substantially points in the direction of movement of the bicycleand the first rotational axis substantially points in a transversaldirection with respect to the direction of movement of the bicycle. Inthis way, in the case of a racing bicycle, with curved handlebars, thefirst rotational axis is substantially horizontal; on the other hand, inthe case of a mountain bike, with straight handlebars, the firstrotational axis is substantially vertical.

The intermediate body comprises a seat for receiving a widened head of abrake control cable, in a distanced position with respect to the firstrotational axis, so that a rotation of the intermediate body about thefirst rotational axis determines a tension on the brake control cableand therefore braking.

The device comprises a connecting rod mounted so that it can move inrotation with respect to the intermediate body about the secondrotational axis; the mobile single lever is hinged to the connecting rodaccording to a third rotational axis, different from the secondrotational axis and parallel thereto; the single lever is angularlymobile with respect to the connecting rod about the third rotationalaxis between a rest position and a deviated position; the connecting rodis angularly mobile with respect to the intermediate body about thesecond rotational axis between a rest position and at least one deviatedposition.

The mounting of the single lever on the connecting rod so that it canmove in rotation, and the provision of the two parallel rotational axesallow the desired actuation differentiated according to the amount ofmovement given to the single lever to be obtained, as shall be betterillustrated hereafter.

A first elastic member is provided between the connecting rod and theintermediate body, and a second elastic member is provided between thesingle lever and the connecting rod, both to push the single lever intoits rest position. These elastic members, typically springs, cause areturn into position of the connecting rod and of the lever, once thepushing action of the cyclist has ended.

The first elastic member exerts a push on the connecting rod thatprevails over the second elastic member, so that a push on the singlelever first moves the single lever into the deviated position withoutmoving the connecting rod and then subsequently moves the connectingrod. In the same way, once the push on the single lever has ended, firstthe connecting rod goes back into position with respect to theintermediate body, then the single lever goes back into position withrespect to the connecting rod.

A device according to what has been outlined above can be used both in amechanical gearshift, and in a servo-assisted gearshift, i.e. in whichthe derailleur is not moved by a control cable but by electric orhydraulic systems.

In the case of a mechanical gearshift, the device is suitable forcommanding a derailleur actuated by a control cable, and comprises:

-   -   a cable-winding bush, supported so that it can move in rotation        on the support body, on which bush the derailleur control cable        is wound;    -   an indexing mechanism that comprises a gear wheel supported so        that it can move in rotation on the intermediate body about the        second rotational axis among a predetermined number of        predetermined angular positions corresponding to the desired        positions of the derailleur; and    -   a transmission mechanism between the cable-winding bush and the        gear wheel of the indexing mechanism, such that a rotation of        the gear wheel corresponds to a rotation of the cable-winding        bush.

The transmission mechanism allows the gear wheel of the indexingmechanism to be on the intermediate body while the cable-winding bush ison the support body, making both the operation of the indexing mechanismand that of the cable-winding bush simple and therefore reliable.

The transmission mechanism comprises a sliding connection suitable forallowing the movement of the indexing mechanism with respect to thecable-winding bush; further, the transmission mechanism allows arotation of said intermediate body about said first axis.

In a configuration, the sliding connection comprises at least one slotthat slidably receives a projecting element associated with thecable-winding bush and/or with the gear wheel. Such a configuration isvery simple and allows large relative displacements between theintermediate body and the support body.

The transmission mechanism comprises an intermediate shaft and first andsecond Hooke's joints. The first Hooke's joint connects the intermediateshaft to the gear wheel of the indexing mechanism and the second Hooke'sjoint connects the intermediate shaft to the cable-winding bush. Theconfiguration with double Hooke's joint ensures that there is acorrespondency between the rotation of the gear wheel and the rotationof the cable-winding bush.

In an embodiment of the indexing mechanism:

-   -   the gear wheel comprises a first and a second sector, in each of        which respective first and second sets of teeth are formed that        define a number of spaces therebetween at least equal to the        predetermined number of angular positions of the gear wheel;    -   the single lever comprises a driven arm facing towards the first        sector, provided with a first ratchet of a shape compatible with        the shape of a space of the first sector;

the device further comprises:

-   -   a rocker arm, hinged to the intermediate body according to a        fourth rotational axis parallel to the second and third        rotational axes and provided with a first arm facing towards the        driven arm of the single lever and a second arm facing towards        the second sector and equipped with a second ratchet of a shape        compatible with the shape of a space of the second sector; and    -   a third elastic member between the intermediate body and the        rocker arm to push the rocker arm with its second arm towards        the second sector; wherein    -   the driven arm of the single lever pushes on the first arm of        the rocker arm against the push of the third elastic member,        when the single lever is moved from its rest position towards        its deviated position.

This configuration allows the desired functionality to be achieved in arelatively simple and therefore reliable manner.

The spaces of the first and second sector are each defined by an activeside and an inactive side, the active side facing, with respect to thespace, in a first direction of rotation of the gear wheel correspondingto the direction of rotation of the cable-winding bush during winding ofthe derailleur control cable.

When the lever and the connecting rod are in their rest positions, thefirst ratchet is not engaged with any space of the first sector, whereasthe second ratchet is engaged in one of the spaces of the second sectorand abuts the active side of the space, so as to prevent a rotation ofthe gear wheel in a second direction of rotation opposite the firstdirection of rotation.

When the lever is taken from its rest position into its deviatedposition without the connecting rod being moved from its rest position,the first ratchet is taken into partial engagement in one of the spacesof the first sector, distanced from the active side. At the same time,the second ratchet is taken out of engagement with the space of thesecond sector, so that the gear wheel can rotate in the second directionof rotation by a small amount due to the tension of the derailleurcontrol cable, sufficient so that the first ratchet moves against theactive side of the space in which it is engaged while the second ratchetgoes from the position opposite the space in which it was engaged to aposition opposite the adjacent space.

When the lever is taken back from its deviated position to its restposition, without the connecting rod being moved from its rest position,the second ratchet goes into engagement with the space that it wasopposite to, while the first ratchet is taken out of engagement with thespace in which it was engaged.

When the connecting rod is taken from its rest position to its deviatedposition, with the lever remaining in its deviated position with respectto the connecting rod, the first ratchet remains engaged in the seat andpushes the active side of the space, making the gear wheel rotate in thefirst direction, whereas the second ratchet is pressed by the thirdelastic member against the gear wheel and slides on the inactive side ofthe spaces without opposing the rotation of the gear wheel.

When the connecting rod and the lever are taken back into their restpositions, the first ratchet is taken out of engagement with the gearwheel whereas the second ratchet remains engaged in one of the spaces,preventing the rotation of the gear wheel in the second direction.

In the case of a servo-assisted gearshift, the device is suitable forcommanding a derailleur actuated by a servo-assisted system, andcomprises a first movement detector between the single lever and theconnecting rod and a second movement detector between the connecting rodand the intermediate body.

In this way, the small and large movements of the single lever in thesame direction are easily detected and distinguished with goodreliability.

The first movement detector is a first contact detector actuated by acontact between the connecting rod and a driven arm of the single leverwhen it reaches its deviated position, and the second movement detectoris a second contact detector actuated by a contact between a projectionof the connecting rod and the intermediate body when the connecting rodreaches its deviated position.

The use of contact detectors allows the movements (both small andlarge), to be recognized with certainty once they have been completed,avoiding false actuations in the case of incomplete movements.

The first contact detector is provided in a seat on the connecting rod,and the second contact detector is provided in a seat on theintermediate body.

The servo-assisted system comprises an electric motor.

In the second embodiment of the invention, an integrated control devicefor a bicycle comprises a support body suitable for being fixed to thehandlebars of a bicycle and a single lever that is mobile with respectto the support body. The lever commands a brake and a derailleur in twofirst and second directions of movement, opposite one another, through aservo-assisted system. The single lever has a rest position in which itcommands neither the brake nor the derailleur and is mobile in a firstdirection to command the brake, and in a second direction different fromthe first direction to command movement of the derailleur in its firstdirection, and in a third direction different from the first directionsto command movement of the derailleur in its second direction.

According to a third embodiment of the device, an electric controldevice for a bicycle, suitable for commanding a derailleur in first andsecond directions of movement, opposite one another through aservo-assisted system, comprises, in particular, a support body suitablefor being fixed to the handlebars of a bicycle, and a lever that ismobile with respect to the support body for commanding a derailleur. Thelever has a rest position in which it does not command the derailleur,and is mobile in a single direction by movement of a first distance tocommand movement of the derailleur in its first direction, and bymovement of a second distance different from the first to commandmovement of the derailleur in its second direction.

In this way, the cyclist does not need to change his grip with his handsduring gearhsifting, and the movement that he has to make is always inthe same direction. He can therefore carry out all gearshifting quicklyand safely.

The first distance is less than the second distance, i.e. a firstrelatively modest movement of the single lever causes downwardgearshifting, whereas a second relatively large movement causes upwardgearshifting; this way of operating is more instinctive for the cyclist.Alternatively, however, the opposite is also possible.

The device comprises a connecting rod mounted so that it can rotate inthe support body about a rotational axis between a rest position and atleast one deviated position, and in which the single lever is hinged tothe connecting rod according to a rotational axis between a restposition and a deviated position, the rotational axis of the singlelever being different from the rotational axis of the connecting rod andparallel thereto.

The mounting of the single lever on the connecting rod so that it canmove in rotation, and the provision of the two parallel rotational axesallow the desired differentiated actuation according to the amount ofmovement given to the single lever to be obtained, as shall be betterillustrated hereafter.

The device comprises a first elastic member between the connecting rodand the support body to push the connecting rod into its rest positionand a second elastic member between the single lever and the connectingrod to push the single lever into its rest position. These elasticmembers, typically springs, determine the return into position of theconnecting rod and of the lever, once the pushing action by the cyclisthas ended.

The first elastic member exerts a push on the connecting rod thatprevails over the second elastic member, so that a push on the singlelever first moves the single lever into the deviated position withoutmoving the connecting rod, and then subsequently moves the connectingrod. In the same way, once the push on the single lever has ended, firstthe connecting rod goes back into position with respect to theintermediate body, then the single lever goes back into position withrespect to the connecting rod.

According to the fourth embodiment of the device, a method forcontrolling a bicycle comprising a braking system and at least onegearshift with a derailleur that is mobile in opposite first and seconddirections of movement, comprises:

-   -   actuation of a lever in a first direction to command the braking        system to obtain braking;    -   actuation of the same lever in a second direction different from        the first direction to command the movement of the derailleur in        its first direction;    -   actuation of the same lever in a third direction different from        the first direction to command the movement of the derailleur in        its second direction.

Description

The following description shall be made for a right hand control device1, but it is clear that this can be applied to a left hand controldevice mounted on the left end of the handlebars 2 and associated withthe brake and with the front derailleur; equally, the device can beapplied to a right or left device mounted on straight handlebars like ina mountain bike.

FIG. 1 shows a control device 1. The control device 1 is a right controldevice for a racing bicycle, and it is therefore mounted on the curvedright end of the handlebars 2 to command the braking operations of therear brake and the gearshifting operations of the rear derailleur.

The control device 1 comprises a support body 4 with a side 5 forconnection to the handlebar 2 and a portion 7, projecting with respectto the side 5 and which can be held by the cyclist during riding.

The support body 4 is connected to the handlebar 2 in a per se knownway, for example by means of a strap (not shown).

A control group 8 comprising an indexing mechanism 12 and a lever 9,cooperating mechanically with the indexing mechanism 12, is mounted onthe support body 4.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the support body also comprises anintermediate body 11 hinged to the support body 4 by a pivot 14 arrangedalong a first rotational axis X1, substantially horizontal andperpendicular to the direction of movement X of the bicycle.

The lever 9, is able to rotate about a second axis X2.

The lever 9 and the indexing mechanism 12 are mounted on theintermediate body 11. The indexing mechanism 12, as shall be describedbetter hereafter, has a main shaft 27 that takes up predeterminedangular positions according to the position of the rear derailleurselected by the cyclist. The intermediate body 11 is formed from a plate13 hinged to the support body 4 by the aforementioned pivot 14. On theplate 13, an open cylindrical seat 15 is formed for the attachment of awidened head 16 a of a brake cable 16. In a known way, the outer sheath(not illustrated but similar to sheath 24 discussed below), of the brakecable 16 is positioned with its end abutting a cylindrical recessdefined in the support body 4. This cylindrical recess is not shown inthe view of FIG. 2 but a similar recess 25 is shown with the controlcable 20, discussed below.

In the support body 4, close to the side 5 facing towards the handlebars2, a cable-winding bush 19 for a derailleur control cable 20 is housed.The cable-winding bush 19 is mounted so that it can move in rotationabout a rotational axis X3 thereof, substantially coinciding with thedirection X of movement of the bicycle.

The cable-winding bush 19 comprises a shaft 21 and a shank 22 on theouter surface of which a throat 23 for winding/unwinding the derailleurcontrol cable 20 is made. On the throat 23 a seat 23 a is formed toreceive a widened head 20 a of the derailleur control cable 20. Theouter sheath 24 of the control cable 20 is positioned with its end 24 aabutting a cylindrical recess 25 made in the support body 4 close to theside 5 facing towards the handlebars 2.

The control cable 20 is subjected to tension exerted by an elasticreturn member of the derailleur, in practice a spring, such a force inturn being applied to the cable-winding bush 19 that is therefore keptpushing in a direction S′ (clockwise direction with reference to FIGS.5-16).

An anti-friction bushing 26 is arranged between the shaft 21 of thecable-winding bush 19 and the support body 4.

The shaft 21 of the cable-winding bush 19 and the main shaft 27 of theindexing mechanism 12 are interconnected through a transmissionmechanism, wholly indicated with 28.

The transmission mechanism 28, as can be seen in FIG. 4, comprises anintermediate shaft 29 connected with the first end 30 to the free end 31of the main shaft 27 through a first Hooke's joint 32 and connected withthe second end 33 to the shaft 21 of the cable-winding bush 19 through asecond Hooke's joint 90.

As far as the first Hooke's joint 32 is concerned, it consists, in a perse known way, of a four point cross 39 connected by means of four linksto a driving fork and to a driven fork made, respectively, at the freeend 31 of the main shaft 27 and at the first end 30 of the intermediateshaft 29.

The second Hooke's joint 90 consists, in a per se known way, of a fourpoint cross 91 connected by means of four links to the second end 33 ofthe intermediate shaft 29 and to the free end of the shaft 21 of thecable-winding bush 19.

Between the intermediate shaft 29 and the shaft 21 of the cable-windingbush 19 a sliding connection 80 is defined. Such a sliding connection 80comprises two slots 34, 35, made on the portion of the intermediateshaft 29 facing towards its second end 33, which slidably receive twoprojecting ends 36, 37 of the four point cross 91.

The sliding connection 80 allows the axial sliding of the intermediateshaft 29 with respect to the shaft 21 of the cable-winding bush 19, ascan be seen in the two different operative conditions of FIGS. 2 and 3.

The transmission mechanism 28 therefore consists of two Hooke's joints32, 90 with an intermediate shaft 29 and a sliding connection 80 thatallow both the transmission of the rotational motion between the mainshaft 27 and the shaft 21 of the cable-winding bush 19, a situation thatoccurs during gearshifting, as well as the positioning of the sameshafts in directions inclined with respect to each other, a situationthat occurs during braking (FIG. 3).

In other variant embodiments, the sliding connection could be made in adifferent way, for example by providing two slots made on the portion ofintermediate shaft 29 facing towards its first end 30 that slidablyreceive the projecting ends of the four point cross of the first Hooke'sjoint 32, or by providing, instead of the slots 34, 35, the division ofone or more of the main shaft 27, the intermediate shaft 29 and theshaft 21 of the cable-winding bush 19 into two telescopic half-shaftsthat rotate as a unit.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, when the cyclist acts to brake by pulling thelever 9 towards the handlebars 2, the intermediate body 11 rotatesaround the pivot 14, as can be seen in making the control group 8rotate, and thus pulling the widened head 16 a of the brake cable 16 tocarry out braking.

The control group 8, described with particular reference to FIGS. 5 to16, comprises, as stated above, the lever 9, the indexing mechanism 12and the intermediate body 11, formed from the plate 13. A cover 18 isassociated at the front with the lever 9 to cover the indexing mechanism12.

The indexing mechanism 12, described hereafter, causes the main shaft 27to take up a series of predetermined angular positions about the axisX2, which is substantially parallel to the direction X of movement ofthe bicycle. The indexing mechanism 12 causes the main shaft 27 torotate in a first direction as a consequence of a rotation of the lever9 by a comparatively small angle in a first direction, indicated inFIGS. 5-16 as S, and makes the main shaft 27 rotate in the oppositedirection as a consequence of a rotation of the lever of the gearshift 9by a comparatively large angle in the same direction S.

The indexing mechanism 12 comprises a gear wheel 45, which rotates as aunit with the aforementioned main shaft 27 and is rotatable with respectto the intermediate body 11 about the second rotational axis X2. In theoperative condition of FIG. 2, the axis X2 is aligned with therotational axis X3 of the shaft 21 of the cable-winding bush 19.

The gear wheel 45 is biased into rotation in the direction of unwindingU of the traction cable 20 of the derailleur, by the tension that actsupon the cable-winding bush 19.

A connecting rod 46 is mounted so that it can rotate around the mainshaft 27 and is provided with a shank 42 carried by the support plate 13in a hole 13 a so that it can rotate. A locknut 43 is screwed on theoutside of the shank 42 to prevent the connecting rod 46 from slippingaway from the support plate 13. As an alternative to the locknut 43, itis possible to provide for the use of a Seeger ring connected on theoutside to the shank 42. The connecting rod 46 is forced in thedirection of unwinding U against the support plate 13 by return means,for example by a compression coil spring 47 (FIG. 5), extending betweenthe support plate 13 and an appendix 46 a of the connecting rod 46. Thecompression coil spring 47 could be replaced by a spiral spring havingone end connected in a point of the connecting rod 46 and the other endconnected to the support plate 13, in which case the connecting rod 46could be without the appendix 46 a.

The lever 9, only partially visible in FIGS. 5-16, is hinged to theconnecting rod 46 by a pivot 48 extending along a rotational axis X4.Return means, for example in the form of a spiral spring 49schematically illustrated in FIGS. 5-16, bias the lever 9 into apredetermined angular position with respect to the connecting rod 46(substantially vertical in FIG. 5), counteracting the vibrations causedin riding the bicycle.

A first ratchet 50 is made at the end of a driven arm 9 b of the lever 9to cooperate with a plurality of first teeth 51 of a first toothedsector 45 a of the gear wheel 45. More specifically, each of the firstteeth 51, seen in direction U, have a side with a comparatively lowinclination with respect to the tangent to the gear wheel 45, and a sidewith a comparatively high inclination with respect to the tangent to thegear wheel 45. The first ratchet 50 has a shape matching the shape of aspace 52 between two adjacent teeth 51 and therefore has a side suitablefor abutting and pushing on the side of the teeth 51 with thecomparatively high inclination, called the “active side” of the teeth.The first ratchet 50 also has a side suitable for sliding on the sidewith comparatively low inclination of the first teeth 51, called“inactive side” of the teeth. In the rest condition of the indexingmechanism 12 shown in FIG. 5, the first ratchet 50 is in a position outof engagement with the first teeth 51.

A second ratchet 53 is located at the end of a driven arm 54 a of arocker arm 54 that is hinged to the support plate 13 through a pivot 55.The second ratchet 53 cooperates with a plurality of second teeth 56 ofa second toothed sector 45 b of the gear wheel 45. The second teeth 56,seen in direction U, also have a side with comparatively low inclinationwith respect to the tangent to the gear wheel 45 and a side withcomparatively high inclination with respect to the tangent to the gearwheel 45. The second ratchet 53 has a shape matching the shape of aspace 57 between two adjacent second teeth 56 and therefore has a sidesuitable for acting as an abutment against the side with comparativelyhigh inclination of the second teeth 56, called the “active side” of theteeth. The second ratchet 53 also has a side suitable for sliding on theside with comparatively low inclination of the second teeth 56, calledthe “inactive side” of the teeth.

It should be noted that in the example illustrated and just describedthe ratchets 50, 53 have a shape matching the respective spaces 52, 57between the teeth; for the purposes of the device, however, it issufficient that the shape of the ratchets 50, 53 be compatible with thatof the respective spaces 52, 57, i.e. that it can allow the pushingengagement on the active side and on the other hand can slide withoutbecoming blocked on the inactive side.

The teeth 51, 56 for engagement with the two ratchets 50, 53 can bedifferent from each other, but preferably they are the same in numberand geometry, so that the gear wheel can be mounted indifferently in twopositions angularly spaced by 180°.

Although the teeth 51, 56 are shown made along the two non-adjacentsectors 45 a and 45 b of the gear wheel 45, alternatively a completelytoothed gear wheel could be provided.

Return means, such as a compression spring 58 extending between thesupport plate 13 and the free end of the driven arm 54 a of the rockerarm 54, force the rocker arm 54 into the rest position of the indexingmechanism 12 shown in FIG. 5, in which the second ratchet 53 is meshedin one of the spaces 57 and the free end of the driving arm 54 b of therocker arm 54 is in contact with the driven arm 9 b of the lever 9.

In the rest condition shown in FIG. 5, the gear wheel 45 (and thereforethe cable-winding bush 19), is kept in a predetermined angular positionby the engagement of the second ratchet 53 in the space indicated as 57a, an engagement that counteracts the tensional force in the directionof unwinding U, due to the cable 20. The lever 9 is also in restposition when substantially vertical as illustrated.

When the lever 9 is pushed softly by the cyclist in the directionindicated as S in FIG. 6, it rotates relative to the connecting rod 46about the pivot 48. Regarding this, it must be emphasized that thespring 49 is comparatively weak and therefore yields to the push on thelever 9 by compressing, substantially without the connecting rod 46moving.

The first ratchet 50, made on the driven arm 9 b of the lever 9 andtherefore in rotation about the pivot 48, faces one of the spaces,indicated as 52 a, between the first teeth 51, without its side goingstraight into contact with the active side of the tooth indicated with61 a.

At the same time, the driving arm 54 b of the rocker arm 54 is biased toslide on the driven arm 9 b of the lever 9 causing the rocker arm 54 tooscillate in the direction indicated by arrow 59, against the force ofthe compression spring 58, i.e. compressing it, causing the secondratchet 53 to disengage from the space 57 a in which it was engaged.

The gear wheel 45 and the cable-winding bush 19 are therefore free tocarry out a small rotation as a unit in the direction of unwinding U ofthe traction cable. The condition represented in FIG. 6 is therefore anon-static condition, and the indexing mechanism 12 goes substantiallyimmediately into the condition represented in FIG. 7, in which theactive side of the tooth 61 a abutted on the first ratchet 50.

As a consequence of the small rotation of the gear wheel 45 in thedirection of unwinding U, the second ratchet 53 has passed over thecrest of the tooth 56 a and now faces the next space 57 b.

If the lever 9 is released in this operative condition, it is pulledback by the spiral spring 49 in the direction S′ indicated in FIG. 8,opposite the direction S, and the first ratchet 50 slides out from thespace 52 a, as shown in FIG. 8. At the same time, the pushing action bythe driven arm 9 b of the lever 9 on the driving arm 54 b of the rockerarm 54 also ceases. The rocker arm 54 is therefore biased, by the actionof the spring 58, in the direction 60 of rotation about its pivot 55,opposite the aforementioned direction 59. The second ratchet 53therefore reaches an abutting relationship on the inactive side of thetooth 56 a, at the side of the space 57 b. It should be noted thatduring this non-static step illustrated in FIG. 8, the driving arm 54 bof the rocker arm 54 may or may not lose the abutting relationship onthe driven arm 9 b of the lever, according to the release speed of thelever 9 by the cyclist.

When the lever 9 goes back into the rest position, the first ratchet 50is taken into position out of engagement by the first teeth 51 and freesthe rotation of the gear wheel 45 and of the cable-winding bush 19firmly connected thereto in the direction of unwinding U, as illustratedin FIG. 9, which also represents a non-static condition. During such arotation, the second ratchet 53 slides along the inactive side of thetooth 56 a, engaging in the space 57 b.

As shown in FIG. 10, the rotation in the direction of unwinding U endswhen the second ratchet 53 goes into an abutting relationship on theactive side of the next tooth 56 b. In this condition, the gear wheel 45and the cable-winding bush 19 are kept stationary by the engagement ofthe second ratchet 53 in the space 57 b.

Therefore, as a consequence of the described push with an angularexcursion of comparatively low extent on the lever 9, the gear wheel 45(and therefore the cable-winding bush 19), carry out an angular rotationin the direction of unwinding U of the brake cable, of an angular extentcorresponding to the pitch between the second teeth 56. Such a rotationcorresponds to the release of a length of the traction cable 20 such asto move the derailleur and therefore the transmission chain at theadjacent gear wheel of the sprocket set, or of the crankset,respectively. Advantageously, such a release movement is in thedirection of a gear wheel of smaller diameter, known as downwardgearshifting. In other types of gearshifts, however, the releasemovement can determine gearshifting towards a gear wheel of greaterdiameter, known as upward gearshifting.

To carry out gearshifting in the opposite direction, the lever 9 ispushed by the cyclist in the same direction S illustrated in FIG. 6, butpushed a greater distance. The initial operation of the indexingmechanism 12 is the same as that described above with reference to FIGS.5-7. In other words, in the initial rotation step of the lever 9, thereis the engagement of the first ratchet 50 in the space 52 a between thefirst teeth 51, in abutting relationship on the active side of the tooth61 a, the disengagement of the second ratchet 53 from the space 57 abetween the second teeth 56, and the small rotation of the gear wheel 45in the direction of unwinding U.

With reference to FIG. 11, as the push on the lever 9 continues in thedirection S beyond the limit position represented in FIG. 7, the firstratchet 50 acts by pushing on the active side of the tooth 61 adetermining the rotation of the gear wheel 45 and therefore of thecable-winding bush in the direction of winding W of the cable, oppositethe direction of unwinding U. More specifically, the lever 9 now rotatesas a unit with the connecting rod 46 about the main shaft 27, againstthe action of the compression spring 47. Indeed, in FIG. 11 it can beseen that there is a gap 51 between the left side of the connecting rod46 and the support plate 13.

At the same time, the pushing action by the driven arm 9 b of the lever9 on the driving arm 54 b of the rocker arm 54 also ceases. The rockerarm 54 is therefore biased, by the action of the spring 58, in thedirection 60 of rotation about its pivot 55. The second ratchet 53,which as a consequence of the rotation of the gear wheel 45 in thedirection of winding W has once again passed over the crest of the tooth56 a, once again engages in the space 57 a in which it was initiallyengaged (FIG. 5).

As shown in FIG. 12, the push in direction S on the lever 9 and theconsequent rotation in the direction of winding W of the gear wheel 45through the first ratchet 50 continues, the second ratchet 53 slides onthe inactive side of the tooth indicated with 56 c, the next tooth inthe direction of winding W. It passes over its crest, as illustrated inFIG. 13; and it engages in the space indicated with 57 c, the next onein the direction of winding W, as illustrated in FIG. 14.

When the lever 9 is released, it is pulled back by the spiral spring 49in the direction S′ indicated in FIG. 15, opposite the direction S, anddetermines the disengagement of the first ratchet 50 from the space 52a, as shown in the non-static condition of FIG. 15. The second ratchet53, in an abutting relationship on the active side of the tooth 56 c,counteracts the tendency of the gear wheel 45 (and of the cable-windingbush 19), to rotate in the direction of unwinding U, determined by thetension of the traction cable and/or by the spring at the derailleur.The gear wheel 45 and the cable-winding bush 19 are therefore keptstationary by the engagement of the second ratchet 53 in the space 57 c.

It should be noted that when releasing the lever 9 from the position ofcomparatively high rotation, its motion can be a composite motion ofsimultaneous rotation about the main shaft 27 and rotation with respectto the connecting rod 46, about the pivot 48.

The connecting rod 46 and the lever 9 finally return into the respectiverest positions, as illustrated in FIG. 16, under the action of thesprings 47 and 49, respectively.

As a consequence of the described push with an angular excursion ofcomparatively high extent on the lever 9, the gear wheel 45 andtherefore the cable-winding bush 19 carry out an angular rotation in thedirection of winding W of the traction cable 20, of angular extentcorresponding to the pitch between the second teeth 56. Such a rotationcorresponds to the winding of a length of the traction cable 20 such asto move the derailleur and therefore the transmission chain at theadjacent gear wheel of the sprocket set, or of the cranksetrespectively. Advantageously, such a winding movement is in thedirection of a gear wheel of greater diameter, or upward gearshifting.In other types of gearshifts, however, the winding movement candetermine gearshifting towards a gear wheel of smaller diameter, ordownward gearshifting.

It should also be noted that by pushing the lever 9 beyond the positionillustrated in FIG. 14, it is advantageously possible to carry outmultiple gearshifting in the direction of winding W of the cable againthrough the pushing of the first ratchet 50 on the active side of thetooth 61 a, since the second ratchet 53 will slide on the inactive sideof the next tooth, engaging in the next but one space 57 d in thedirection of winding W and so on.

It should also be noted that all of the aforementioned gearshiftingoperations commanded by a movement of the lever 9 in direction S cantake place whatever the position of the lever 9 and of the intermediatebody 11 with respect to the pivot 14, i.e. they can also take placeduring braking.

With reference now to FIG. 17 and thereafter, a control device 100 isshown, which differs from the control device 1 of the mechanical type,described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 16, in that the control device100 is suitable for being used in a bicycle equipped with aservo-assisted gearshifting system, of the electric/electronic orhydraulic type.

The control device 100 does not therefore act in tension or in releaseon a derailleur control cable, but through the actuation of the commandlever 109 the control device 100 supplies electrical signals in outputthat are suitably processed by an electronic unit of the system, whichthen commands the derailleurs through electric actuators.

The movements carried out on the command lever 109 of the command devicedescribed here coincide with the movements described for the mechanicalcontrol device 1.

In particular, by pulling the lever 109 towards the handlebars, as shownin the FIGS. 17 and 18, the brake control cable 116 is actuated.

When a first movement is carried out with an angular excursion ofcomparatively low extent on the lever 109 in direction S, shown in FIG.19, downward gearshifting takes place and with a movement with anangular excursion of comparatively high extent on the lever 109, againin the same direction S, upward gearshifting takes place.

The two functions could be inverted, making a first movement with anangular excursion of comparatively low extent on the lever 109 indirection S correspond to upward gearshifting, and a movement with anangular excursion of comparatively high extent on the lever 109, againin the same direction S, correspond to downward gearshifting.

Referring again to FIGS. 17 and 18, the control device 100 comprises asupport body 104 with a side 105 for connection to the handlebars 2 anda portion 107, projecting from the side 105, that can be gripped by thecyclist during travel.

A control group 108 comprising an actuator group 112 and a lever 109,cooperating with the actuator group 112, is mounted on the support body104. The support body 104 also comprises an intermediate body 111 hingedto the support body 104 in a pivot 114 arranged along a first rotationalaxis X1, substantially horizontal and perpendicular to the direction ofmovement X of the bicycle.

The lever 109, which is able to rotate about a second axis X2, and theactuator group 112 are mounted on the intermediate body 111. Theintermediate body 111 is formed from a plate 113 hinged to the supportbody 104 in the aforementioned pivot 114. On the plate 113 an opencylindrical seat 115 is formed for the attachment of a widened head 116a of a brake cable 116.

When the cyclist acts to brake by pulling the lever 109 towards thehandlebars 2, the intermediate body 111 rotates about the pivot 114, ascan be seen in FIG. 18, taking the control group 108 into rotation andpulling the widened head 116 a of the brake cable 116 to carry outbraking.

The control group 108 comprises, as stated above, the lever 109, theactuator group 112 and the intermediate body 111, in turn formed fromthe plate 113. A cover 118 is associated at the front with the lever 109to cover the actuator group 112.

With reference to FIGS. 19-21, the actuator group 112 comprises aconnecting rod 146 mounted so that it can rotate about the secondrotational axis X2 and provided with a first shank 142 (FIG. 17),carried by the support plate 113 in a hole 113 a so that it can rotate.A locknut 143 (FIG. 17), is screwed on the outside of the shank 142 toavoid the connecting rod 146 slipping away from the support plate 113.The connecting rod 146 has an inner cylindrical cavity 148.

The connecting rod 146 is forced in direction U against the supportplate 113 by return means, for example by a compression spring 147,extending between the support plate 113 and an appendix 146 a of theconnecting rod 146. The compression coil spring 147 could be replaced bya spiral spring having one end connected in a point of the connectingrod 146 and the other end connected to the support plate 113, in whichcase the connecting rod 146 could be without the appendix 146 a.

The connecting rod 146 is provided with a second shank 146 c having onits outer surface a first switch 151 and an actuation tooth 146 d,visible in FIGS. 19, 20 and 21. The first switch 151 is electricallyconnected to a cable 152 (FIG. 17), arranged passing inside thecylindrical cavity 148 and extending towards the handlebars to reach anelectronic unit of the bicycle (not shown).

A second switch 153 is associated with the support plate 113. The secondswitch 153 is electrically connected to a cable 154 that extends towardsthe handlebars to also reach the electronic unit of the bicycle.

The lever 109, only partially visible in FIGS. 19, 20 and 21, is hingedto the connecting rod 146 through a pivot 148 arranged about an axis X3.Return means, for example in the form of a spiral spring 149, bias thelever 109 into a predetermined angular position with respect to theconnecting rod 146 (substantially vertical in FIG. 19), counteractingthe vibrations caused when riding the bicycle.

An actuation tooth 150 is made at the end of the driven arm 109 b of thelever 109 to cooperate with the first switch 151 of the connecting rod146. In the rest condition of the actuator group 112 shown in FIG. 19,the actuation tooth 150 is in a position not in contact with the switch151.

When the lever 109 is pushed a short distance by the cyclist in thedirection indicated as S, it rotates relative to the connecting rod 146about the pivot 148. Regarding this, it must be emphasized that thespring 149 is comparatively weak and therefore yields, compressing, tothe push of the lever 109, substantially without the connecting rod 146moving.

The actuation tooth 150 made on the driven arm 109 b of the lever 109 istherefore taken into rotation about the pivot 148 until it makes contactwith the switch 151 and it is actuated (FIG. 20). At such a moment intime T1, the electronic unit detects the actuation of such a switch 151through a signal carried through the cable 152. Alternatively, anothertype of transmission could be provided for such a signal, for example aradio frequency wire-less transmission, therefore eliminating the cable152.

When the lever 109 is released from the operative condition of FIG. 20,it is pulled back by the spiral spring 149 in the direction S′, oppositethe direction S, and the lever 109 goes back into the rest position.

As a consequence of the described push with an angular excursion ofcomparatively low extent on the lever 109, the electronic unit hasdetected the first signal at the moment in time T1.

To carry out gearshifting in the opposite direction, the lever 109 ispushed by the cyclist in the same direction S, but rotated further. Theinitial operation of the actuator group 112 is the same as thatdescribed above with reference to FIGS. 19 and 20 with the actuation ofthe switch 151 at the moment in time T1. As the pushing on the lever 109continues in direction S beyond the limit position represented in FIG.20, the actuation tooth 150 acts by pushing on the switch 151 and on theconnecting rod 146. More specifically, the lever 109 now rotates as aunit with the connecting rod 146 about the second axis X2, against theaction of the compression spring 147.

As the pushing in direction S on the lever 109 and the consequentrotation of the connecting rod 146 continues, the actuation tooth 146 dis taken into contact with the switch 153 (FIG. 21). At such a moment intime T2 the electronic unit detects the actuation of such a switch 153through the signal carried through the cable 154. Alternatively, anothertype of transmission could be provided for such a signal, for example awire-less radio frequency transmission, therefore eliminating the cable154.

When the lever 109 is released, it is pulled back by the spiral spring149 in direction S′, opposite the direction S, and determines thedisengagement of the actuation tooth 146 d from the second switch 153.

The connecting rod 146 and the lever 109 finally go back into therespective rest positions under the action of the springs 147 and 149,respectively, and the actuation tooth 150 also disengages from the firstswitch 151.

As a consequence of the described push with an angular excursion ofcomparatively high extent on the lever 109, the electronic unit willhave detected the two signals at moments T1 and T2.

Downward and upward gearshifting is achieved by the electronic unit ofthe system through processing of said two signals detected at moments intime T1 and T2.

A method for managing the two signals coming from 151 and 153 can be thefollowing.

Upon the detection of the actuation of the switch 151 at moment T1, theelectronic unit waits for a predetermined moment in time, for exampleTd=200 ms. If the second signal coming from the switch 153 is notdetected within such a delay time Td, the control unit carries outdownward gearshifting. If, on the other hand, the second signal comingfrom the switch 153 is detected within the delay time Td, the controlunit carries out upward gearshifting.

To carry out downward or upward gearshifting again, the electronic unitwaits for the lever 109 to be released, which can be detected at themoment when the two switches 151 and 153 are no longer actuated. In thisway, every angular excursion of the lever 109, small or large,corresponds to single gearshifting (downwards or upwards).

In a different management of the two signals, it can be provided that,if the lever is kept by the cyclist in the position of FIG. 20 or 21 fora sufficiently long time, the logic control unit carries out multiplegearshifting until the lever 109 is released.

It is clear that in the embodiment described here, upward and downwardgearshifting could easily be inverted through the different managementof the two signals, i.e. to carry out upward gearshifting for a smallexcursion of the lever 109 (FIG. 20) and downward gearshifting for alarger excursion (FIG. 21).

With reference now to FIGS. 22 and 23, a control device 200 is shown,which, like the control device 100, is suitable for being used in abicycle equipped with a servo-assisted gearshifting system.

The control device 200 comprises a support body 204 with a side 205 forconnection to the handlebars 2 and a portion 207, projecting from theside 205, that can be gripped by the cyclist when riding.

A control group 208 comprising an actuator group 212 and a lever 209,cooperating with the actuator group 212, is mounted on the support body204. The support body 204 also comprises an intermediate body 211 hingedto the support body 204, in a pivot 214 arranged along a firstrotational axis X1, substantially horizontal and perpendicular to thedirection of movement X of the bicycle.

The lever 209, able to rotate about a second axis X3 is mounted on theintermediate body 211. The intermediate body 211 is formed from a plate213 hinged to the support body 204 in the aforementioned pivot 214.

The control group 208, described with reference to FIG. 23, comprises,as stated above, the lever 209, the actuator group 212 and theintermediate body 211, in turn formed from the plate 213. A cover 218 isassociated at the front with the lever 209 to cover the actuator group212.

As shown in FIG. 23, the support plate 213 is provided with a shank 246having on its outer surface a first switch 251 and a second switch 253.The first switch 251 is electrically connected to a cable 252 (FIG. 22),arranged passing inside the cylindrical cavity 248 of the support plate213 and extends towards the handlebars to reach an electronic unit ofthe bicycle (not shown). The second switch 253 is electrically connectedto a cable 254 (FIG. 22), arranged passing inside the cylindrical cavity248 and extends towards the handlebars to also reach the electronic unitof the bicycle.

The lever 209, only partially visible in FIG. 23, is hinged to thesupport plate 213 through a pivot 248 about axis X3. Return means, forexample in the form of one or more spiral springs 249, bias the lever209 into a predetermined angular position with respect to the supportbody 213 (substantially vertical in FIG. 23), counteracting thevibrations caused in riding the bicycle.

A first actuation tooth 250 is made at the end of a first driven arm 209b of the lever 209 to cooperate with the first switch 251.

A second actuation tooth 260 is made at the end of a second driven arm209 c of the lever 209 to cooperate with the second switch 253.

In the rest condition shown in FIG. 23, the first and second actuationteeth 250 and 260 are in a position not in contact with the switches 251and 253.

When the lever 209 is pushed by the cyclist in the direction indicatedas S, it rotates relative to the support plate 213 about the pivot 248.The first actuation tooth 250 made on the first driven arm 209 b of thelever 209 is therefore taken into rotation about the pivot 248 until itmakes contact with the first switch 251 and it is actuated.

The electronic unit detects the actuation of such a switch 251 throughthe signal carried through the cable 252.

When the lever 209 is released, it is pulled back by the spiral springs249 in direction S′, opposite direction S, and the lever 209 goes backinto rest position.

When the lever 209 is pushed by the cyclist in the direction indicatedwith S′, it rotates relative to the support plate 213 about the pivot248. The second actuation tooth 260 made on the second driven arm 209 cof the lever 209 is therefore taken into rotation about the pivot 248until it makes contact with the second switch 253 and it is actuated.

The electronic unit detects the actuation of such a second switch 253through the signal carried through the cable 254.

When the lever 209 is released, it is pulled back by the spiral springs249 in direction S, opposite direction S′, and the lever 209 goes backinto the rest position.

Downward and upward gearshifting is achieved by the electronic unit ofthe system through processing of said two signals detected by theactuation of the two switches 251 and 253.

1. An integrated control device for a bicycle, comprising a support bodyconfigured to be fixed to a handlebar of a bicycle, and a single leverthat is mobile with respect to the support body to command both a brake,and a derailleur in two first and second substantially oppositedirections of movement, wherein the single lever: has a rest position inwhich it commands neither the brake nor the derailleur, moves in a firstdirection to command the brake, and moves in a second direction,different from the first direction, by a first distance to commandmovement of the derailleur in the first derailleur direction and by asecond distance different from the first distance to command movement ofthe derailleur in the second derailleur direction.
 2. A device accordingto claim 1, wherein the second direction is substantially perpendicularto the first direction.
 3. A device according to claim 1, wherein themovement of the derailleur in the first derailleur direction correspondsto downward gearshifting and the movement of the derailleur in thesecond derailleur direction corresponds to upward gearshifting.
 4. Adevice according to claim 1, wherein the movement of the derailleur inthe first derailleur direction corresponds to upward gearshifting andthe movement of the derailleur in the second derailleur directioncorresponds to downward gear shifting.
 5. A device according to claim 1,wherein the support body is configured to be gripped in a hand.
 6. Adevice according to claim 1, further comprising an intermediate body,which is supported so that it can move in rotation with respect to thesupport body about a first rotational axis, said single lever moves inrotation with respect to the intermediate body about a second rotationalaxis, different from the first.
 7. A device according to claim 6,wherein when the single lever is in the rest position, said secondrotational axis substantially points in the direction of movement of thebicycle and said first rotational axis substantially points in atransversal direction with respect to the direction of movement of thebicycle.
 8. A device according to claim 7, wherein said first rotationalaxis is substantially horizontal.
 9. A device according to claim 7,wherein said first rotational axis is substantially vertical.
 10. Adevice according to claim 6, wherein the intermediate body comprises aseat for receiving a widened head of a brake control cable.
 11. A deviceaccording to claim 6, further comprising a connecting rod mounted sothat it moves in rotation with respect to the intermediate body aboutthe second rotational axis, wherein the single lever is hinged to theconnecting rod according to a third rotational axis, different from thesecond rotational axis and parallel thereto, wherein the single lever isangularly mobile with respect to the connecting rod about the thirdrotational axis between the rest position and a deviated position, andwherein the connecting rod is angularly mobile with respect to theintermediate body about the second rotational axis between a restposition and at least one deviated position.
 12. A device according toclaim 11, further comprising a first elastic member between theconnecting rod and the intermediate body to push the connecting rod intoits rest position, and a second elastic member between the single leverand the connecting rod to push the single lever into its rest position.13. A device according to claim 12, wherein the first elastic memberexerts a push on the connecting rod that prevails over the secondelastic member, so that a push on the single lever first moves thesingle lever into the deviated position without moving the connectingrod, and subsequently moves the connecting rod.
 14. A device accordingto claim 11, suitable for commanding a derailleur actuated by a controlcable, the device further comprising: a cable-winding bush, supported sothat it rotates on the support body, on which bush the derailleurcontrol cable is wound, an indexing mechanism that comprises a gearwheel supported so that it can move in rotation on the intermediate bodyabout the second rotational axis between a predetermined number ofpredetermined angular positions corresponding to the desired positionsof the derailleur, a transmission mechanism between the cable-windingbush and the gear wheel of the indexing mechanism, that causes arotation of the gear wheel to correspond to a rotation of thecable-winding bush.
 15. A device according to claim 14, wherein thetransmission mechanism (28) comprises a sliding connection (80) thatallows movement of said indexing mechanism (12) with respect to saidcable-winding bush (19).
 16. A device according to claim 15, wherein thetransmission mechanism allows a rotation of said intermediate body aboutsaid first axis.
 17. A device according to claim 16, wherein saidsliding connection comprises at least one slot that slidably receives aprojecting element associated with said cable-winding bush and/or withsaid gear wheel.
 18. A device according to claim 16, wherein saidtransmission mechanism comprises an intermediate shaft, a first Hooke'sjoint and a second Hooke's joint, said first Hooke's joint connectingsaid intermediate shaft to said gear wheel of said indexing mechanismand said second Hooke's joint connecting said intermediate shaft to saidcable-winding bush.
 19. A device according to claim 14, wherein: thegear wheel comprises each of a first and a second sector, in each ofwhich respective first and second teeth are formed that between themdefine a number of spaces at least equal to said predetermined number ofangular positions; the single lever comprises a driven arm facingtowards the first sector, provided with a first ratchet of a shapecompatible with the shape of a space of the first sector; the devicefurther comprising: a rocker arm, hinged to the intermediate bodyaccording to a fourth rotational axis and provided with a first armfacing towards the driven arm of the single lever and with a second armfacing towards the second sector and equipped with a second ratchet of ashape compatible with the shape of a space of the second sector, and athird elastic member between the intermediate body and the rocker arm topush the rocker arm with its second arm towards the second sector;wherein: the driven arm of the single lever pushes on the first arm ofthe rocker arm against the push of the third elastic member when thesingle lever is moved from its rest position towards its deviatedposition.
 20. A device according to claim 19, wherein each of the spacesof the first and second sector are defined by an active side and by aninactive side, the active side facing, with respect to the space, in afirst direction of rotation of the gear wheel corresponding to adirection of rotation of the cable-winding bush during winding of thederailleur control cable.
 21. A device according to claim 20, whereinwhen the lever and the connecting rod are in their rest positions, thefirst ratchet is not engaged with any space of the first sector whereasthe second ratchet is engaged in one of the spaces of the second sector,the second ratchet abuts the active side of the space, so as to preventrotation of the gear wheel in a second direction of rotation oppositethe first direction of rotation.
 22. A device according to claim 21,wherein, when the lever is taken from its rest position into itsdeviated position without the connecting rod moving from its restposition, the first ratchet is taken into partial engagement in one ofthe spaces of the first sector, distanced from the active side, whereasthe second ratchet is taken out of engagement with the space of thesecond sector, so that the gear wheel can rotate in the second directionof rotation due to the tension of the derailleur control cable,sufficient so that the first ratchet moves against the active side ofthe space in which it is engaged while the second ratchet moves to aposition in front of an adjacent space.
 23. A device according to claim22, wherein, when the lever is taken back from its deviated position toits rest position, without the connecting rod moving from its restposition, the second ratchet goes into engagement with the space that itwas opposite to, while the first ratchet is taken out of engagement withthe space in which it was engaged.
 24. A device according to claim 22,wherein, when the connecting rod is taken from its rest position to itsdeviated position, with the lever remaining in its deviated positionwith respect to the connecting rod, the first ratchet remains engaged inthe space and pushes the active side of the space, making the gear wheelrotate in the first direction, whereas the second ratchet is pressed bythe third elastic member against the gear wheel and slides on theinactive side of the spaces without opposing the rotation of the gearwheel.
 25. A device according to claim 24, wherein, when the connectingrod and the lever are returned to their rest positions, the firstratchet is taken out of engagement with the gear wheel whereas thesecond ratchet remains engaged in one of the spaces, preventing therotation of the gear wheel in the second direction.
 26. A deviceaccording to claim 11, suitable for commanding a derailleur actuated bya servo-assisted system, comprising a first movement detector betweensaid single lever and said connecting rod and a second movement detectorbetween said connecting rod and said intermediate body.
 27. A deviceaccording to claim 26, wherein the first movement detector is a firstcontact detector actuated by a contact between the connecting rod and adriven arm of the single lever when the single lever reaches itsdeviated position, and wherein the second movement detector is a secondcontact detector actuated by a contact between a projection of theconnecting rod and said intermediate body when the connecting rodreaches its deviated position.
 28. A device according to claim 27,wherein the first contact detector is provided in a seat on theconnecting rod.
 29. A device according to claim 26, wherein the secondcontact detector is provided in a seat on the intermediate body.
 30. Adevice according to claim 26, wherein said servo-assisted systemcomprises an electric motor.
 31. An integrated control device for abicycle, comprising a support body configured to be fixed to a handlebarof a bicycle, and a single lever that is mobile with respect to thesupport body for commanding a brake, and a derailleur in two first andsecond substantially opposite directions of movement, through aservo-assisted system, wherein the single lever has: a rest position inwhich it commands neither the brake nor the derailleur; moves in a firstdirection to command the brake; moves in a second direction, differentfrom the first direction to command movement of the derailleur in thefirst derailleur direction; and moves in a third direction, differentfrom the first direction to command movement of the derailleur in thesecond derailleur direction.
 32. A device according to claim 31, whereinthe second and third directions are the same.
 33. A device according toclaim 31, wherein the second and third directions are opposite.
 34. Anelectric control device for a bicycle for commanding a derailleur ineach of a first and second derailleur direction of movement, oppositeone another, through a servo-assisted system, comprising a support bodyconfigured to be fixed to a handlebar of a bicycle, and a single leverthat moves with respect to the support body for commanding thederailleur, wherein the lever moves in a single direction from a restposition in which it does not command the derailleur, by a firstdistance to command movement of the derailleur in the first derailleurdirection and by a second distance different from the first distance tocommand movement of the derailleur in the second derailleur direction.35. A device according to claim 34, wherein the movement of thederailleur in the first derailleur direction corresponds to downwardgearshifting and the movement of the derailleur in the second derailleurdirection corresponds to upward gearshifting.
 36. A device according toclaim 34, wherein the movement of the derailleur in the first derailleurdirection corresponds to upward gearshifting, and the movement of thederailleur in the second derailleur direction corresponds to downwardgearshifting.
 37. A device according to claim 34, further comprising aconnecting rod mounted so that it moves in rotation in the support bodyabout a rotational axis of the connecting rod between a rest positionand at least one deviated position, and wherein the single lever ishinged to the connecting rod according to a rotational axis of thesingle lever, different from the rotational axis of the connecting rodand parallel thereto.
 38. A device according to claim 37, furthercomprising a first elastic member between the connecting rod and thesupport body, to push the connecting rod into its rest position, and asecond elastic member between the single lever and the connecting rod topush the single lever into its rest position.
 39. A device according toclaim 38, wherein the first elastic member exerts a push on theconnecting rod that prevails over the second elastic member, so that apush on the single lever first moves the single lever into the deviatedposition without moving the connecting rod and then subsequently movesthe connecting rod.
 40. A device according to claim 34, furthercomprising a second lever that is mobile with respect to the supportbody for commanding a brake.
 41. A method for controlling a bicyclecomprising a braking system and at least one gearshift with a derailleurthat moves in each of a first and second derailleur direction ofmovement, comprising: actuating a lever in a first direction to commandthe braking system to obtain braking; actuating the same lever in asecond direction different from the first direction to command themovement of the derailleur in the first derailleur direction; andactuating the same lever in a third direction different from the firstdirection to command the movement of the derailleur in the secondderailleur direction.
 42. A method according to claim 41, wherein thethird direction is opposite the second direction.
 43. A method accordingto claim 41, wherein the third direction is the same as the seconddirection, and wherein the actuation of the lever in the seconddirection to command the movement of the derailleur the first derailleurdirection comprises moving the lever a different distance compared to amovement of the same lever in the same direction to command the movementof the derailleur in the second derailleur direction.
 44. A methodaccording to claim 41, wherein the first direction of movement of thelever is substantially perpendicular to each of the second and thirddirections of movement of the lever.
 45. A method according to claim 41,wherein the actuation of the lever in the first direction takes place atthe same time as the actuation of the lever in the second and/or thirddirection.
 46. A control device for a bicycle comprising: a single leverthat is mobile with respect to a support body to command both a brakeand a derailleur, wherein the single lever: has a rest position, movesin a first direction to activate the brake, and moves in a seconddirection, by a first distance that moves the derailleur in a firstderailleur direction, and by a second distance that moves the derailleurin the second derailleur direction.
 47. A Device according to claim 46further comprising: a cable-winding bush, supported so that it rotateson the support body, on which bush a derailleur control cable is wound,an indexing mechanism that comprises a gear wheel supported so that itcan move in rotation on the intermediate body about the secondrotational axis between a predetermined number of predetermined angularpositions corresponding to the desired positions of the derailleur, atransmission mechanism between the cable-winding bush and the gear wheelof the indexing mechanism, that causes a rotation of the gear wheel tocorrespond to a rotation of the cable-winding bush.
 48. A deviceaccording to claim 47, wherein the transmission mechanism comprises asliding connection that allows substantially linear movement of saidindexing mechanism with respect to said cable-winding bush.
 49. Acontrol device for controlling a bicycle derailleur, comprising asupport body configured to be fixed to a handlebar of a bicycle, and alever that moves with respect to the support body to activate both abrake and a derailleur; wherein to activate the brake requires onemovement of the lever in a first direction, and activation of thederailleur requires movement of the lever in a second direction; whereinmovement of the derailleur occurs in substantially two oppositederailleur directions, and movement in each of these derailleurdirections is controlled by movement of the lever in the seconddirection; wherein the movement of the lever by a distance in the firstdirection moves the derailleur in a first derailleur direction, andmovement of the lever by a further distance in the first direction movesthe derailleur in a substantially opposite derailleur direction to thefirst derailleur direction.
 50. A control device for controlling abicycle derailleur, comprising a support body configured to be fixed toa handlebar of a bicycle, and a lever that moves with respect to thesupport body to both activate a brake and cause a gearshift; whereinactivating the brake requires one movement of the lever in a firstdirection, and causing the gearshift requires movement of the lever in asecond direction; wherein the gearshift can be an upwards gearshift ordownwards gearshift, depending on movement of the lever in the seconddirection.